Do not own Inu & co.
Enjoy!
Ayumi laid awake starring at the ceiling. Yet another nightmare woke her. Every time she closed her eyes she saw nothing but she knew something was watching her.
She would reach forward but no matter how she moved she was unable to see her hands.
Then she would see the eyes. The gray eyes looking directly at her.
She woke with a yelp at this point.
The eyes seemed so familiar.
Sesshoumaru stood on the balcony outside of his private chambers. He could smell vermin in the area. His golden eyes narrowed as he over looked the grounds.
Suddenly, tensegia pulsed. He put his hand on his sword to silence it and then jumped on to the railings.
His eyes began to bleed red as he stepped off the ledge. His silver locks flew above him as he dropped. He landed silently. He closed his eyes and put his nose to the air for a moment. Then, cracking his knuckles, he spun and charged to the left. His right hand in the air.
Nothing.
He could smell the vermin but he wasn't able to see it.
"Coward," He stated, "This one knows you are here."
Silence answered him. He shrugged as he closed his eyes.
"It matters not. This Sesshoumaru will find you."
Allowing his other senses to dull, he focused on his hearing and smell.
A very faint, soft crunch brought his attention behind him. He darted forward with his claws out. A crash resounded in the garden. When he opened his eyes he found his claws covered in blood, his castle wall crushed in, but nothing else.
He closed his eyes once more but his senses were unable to locate the intruder. He smirked and looked up into the sky.
"So you have fled," He stated. Then turning he made it back to his room in a couple leaps.
The off shoot had not fled though. No, it was merely hiding its self completely. Laying flat against the ground in the shadows it hid for hours. Fear had gripped it and it had no desire to meet Sesshoumaru's claws yet again.
As dawn was nearing, it slowly crept forward and up the castle wall. The blood from the creature left trail behind it. Once it reached her room it plopped over the balcony.
"Kumorikuro will have you!" He whispered with glee.
"Who's there?" Ayumi shouted out.
An amused snort came from behind Kumorikuro and the off shoot paused. Claws tore into his skin as he was lifted from the ground.
"This Sesshoumaru has you," he stated and brought the demon up to his eyes. "What is your purpose here?"
Kumorikuro was no hero and held no loyalties to his master. He flinched away from Sesshoumaru's harsh gaze.
"I was sent here to grab the humans and erase their memories!" He yelped.
"hnnnn..."
Sesshoumaru raised his claws again to dispatch it when it yelped once more, "I can restore the onna's memories!"
Sesshoumaru paused and the creature opened it's gray eyes hopefully.
"Yes! Kumorikuro can restore the onna's memories, but if Sesshoumaru-sama kills Kumorikuro it will be impossible!"
Sesshoumaru snorted again as he dropped Kumorikuro.
"You are quick to change allegiance ," he replied, "You will restore Ayumi's memories. Then this one will decide if you shall live."
Ayumi was watching their exchange with a look of disgust on her face.
"What is that?"
Kumorikuro stepped forward and bowed.
"I am Kumorikuro my lady!" He replied.
The pattering of feet announced Rin had awoken and was coming to investigate. She came into view rubbing her eyes.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" She inquired with a yawn.
"Go back to bed Rin," he ordered. His eyes never leaving Kumorikuro. Rin spared a moment to stare at Kumorkuro before she nodded and left.
"Return her memories now," Sesshoumaru growled out the order.
"As you wish my lord. Onna, sit down," Kumorikuro ordered.
"It's Ayumi," she replied as she sat cross legged where she once stood.
Kumorikuro approached her and placed one claw on her forehead. A red glow emitted from it and soon engulphed her whole body.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the scene playing out before him. It was soon over though and Kumorikuro stepped away from Ayumi. She had a dazed look on her face for a moment before her eyes rolled back and she fell over on to her side.
Sesshoumaru began to growl and turned to Kumorikuro. The gray demon had squished itself into a corner.
"She'll be fine my lord! It was just too much for her human mind," he squeaked and shielded himself again. He was visibly trembling.
Sesshoumaru's hand shot forward and he gripped the demon tightly with his claws.
"You must be contained," he stated. He thought for a moment before he pulled out a small glass bottlle.
"Get in," he ordered, shaking the bottle. Kumorikuro looked confused.
"M-my lord?" He questioned. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and put Kumorikuro's nose to the bottle. With a trembling nod, Kumorikuro shrunk himself down and slipped inside. His gray eyes could be seen looking out.
Sesshoumaru sealed the bottle by melting some of the glass with his poison and placed it inside a pocket.
"My demonic aura will keep you in check," He stated. Then he knelt and gently scooped Ayumi up into his arms. He considered her for a moment and then began to walk to the door.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin asked. He paused for her. "Why are you taking Lady Ayumi?
"This one wants to be sure she is safe for you Rin. Sleep well," He replied as he stepped out of the room.
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama!" was the little girls quick reply.
As he carried her to his room, he kept burying his face into her hair to breathe in her scent. He sighed heavily every time he exhaled.
The silence was soon broken by Kumorikuro. Apparently the demon couldn't stand the silence and began to hum.
Sesshoumaru growled in response, which caused the demon to shut up.
He kicked his doors open and placed Ayumi on his bed.
He sat on the edge of the bed next to her, looking down on her form. A smile crept on to his face as he used a claw to trace her face.
Sighing, he stood and covered her with a blanket. Then he found a chair and sat looking out the window.
Hours passed in silence before the humming began again.
"Kumorikuro!" Sesshoumaru growled in wrong. The demon fell silent again but it's bottle began to rattle. Sesshoumaru pulled it out and narrowed his golden eyes at the demon.
"Naraku will wonder why I have not returned," Kumorikuro squeaked.
"That is no concern of mine," Sesshoumaru replied as he shook the bottle violently.
"Now be silent! This one has much to think about," he growled as he placed the bottle on the window seal and leaned back.
"But my lord! He will surely come for the onnas when I don't return," Kumorikuro countered.
"Hnnnn..." Sesshoumaru tapped his claw against the arm of his chair and threw his hand in the air, "Then speak, tell this one what you know."